A pigment is a substance that imparts color to other materials by selectively absorbing certain wavelengths of light, thereby changing the color of reflected or transmitted light. It is typically a powder that is completely or nearly insoluble and chemically unreactive in water or another medium. Unlike dyes, which are soluble and go into solution during the application process, pigments are used to add color to materials such as textiles, paints, inks, plastics, and rubber. They can be organic or inorganic, with organic pigments being derived from natural sources or synthesized from aromatic hydrocarbons, and inorganic pigments being manufactured by relatively simple chemical processes such as oxidation. Pigments are also found in biological structures, such as skin, eyes, fur, and hair, and are responsible for the coloration of plant and animal cells.
In summary, a pigment is a material that changes the color of reflected or transmitted light as a result of wavelength-selective absorption, and it is used to add color to various materials.
